The Wisdom of the Ego

Dr. Valliant offers a scholarly work in his book, The Wisdom of the Ego, which examines in thirteen chapters, how the ego functions, how it matures or fails to do so. It is an excellent work because it offers specific examples concerning abstract ideas: sublimation, suppression, etc.. In using Sylvia Plath, Anna Freud, and Eugene O'Neill as examples, Valliant shows readers how one can engage in behavior which finally leads to self-destruction (Plath) or ways which bring about human flourishing (Anna Freud and Eugene O'Neill). Valliant's language is clear and precise, regardless of one curiously dismissive (and frankly, mistaken) review. Valliant's book is not "self-help" material. It is a scholarly work which presumes some background in psychological concepts. Those looking for an easy read, steer clear. However, for those who are willing to dig deeper, this is a fine work. One of his most lucid chapters, Chapter 7, "Life Histories" focuses on "everyday" people who succeed or fail in adult development. This chapter is a good place for beginners to start and if one can read through these histories, then one might risk the rest of the work. The table of contents include:Introduction1. Why Praise the Human Ego?2. A Matter of Definition3. Self-Deceptions in Everyday Life4. Necessary Questions5. How Can We Prove That Defense Exist?6. The Ego and Adult Development7. Life Histories8. The Ego and Creativity9. Sylvia Plath: Creativity and Psychotic Defenses10. Anna Freud: Mature Defenses11. Eugene O'Neill: The Maturation of Defenses12. Disadvantage, Resilience, and Mature Defenses13. How Does the Ego MatureNotes/Acknowledgements/Credits/Index

Wonderful book on how people go about overcoming psychological defenses and learn over time to make mature choices to become who they want to be and get what they want out of life. Real life examples are very instrumental in showing how others (often well known and famous) struggle to learn where they go wrong and how to take new steps to become more mature and responsible in their lives.

I picked this up as a way of understanding coping mechanisms and found it very enlightening. Highlighting the abilities of the mind to channel the negative into outlets to maintain balance was an easily understood representation of a complex ability of the mind. The life examples provided good inspiration and understanding.

This wasn’t a new book. The spine was cracked and parted...

This is an extensive report on information from 3 long term follow up studies on 3 very different groups of people. By looking at how people evolved, succeeeded or failed they provide insights regarding resilience, defense mechanisms, erpsonality types, etc.A very useful tool for everyone who deals with other people and wants to gain insight.

This is a true masterpiece: a beautifully composed synthesis of many related domains of study. Some decades ago I came across one of Vallaint's earlier books - Adaptation to Life -, and it provided me with my first wedge of insight into how defense mechanisms color our lives. That book then led me to explore the broader world of psychoanalysis.Now we have The Wisdom of the Ego, which is light years beyond that earlier work in it's elucidation of how the mind's executive functions operate behind the curtain of consciousness, like the wizard of Oz. The Wisdom of the Ego is a work that can be re-read with an increased appreciation and savored like a glass of vintage wine.If you can grasp Vallaint's paradigm, you will have a handle for interpreting your life experience (which, by the way, comes with a new set of conceptual tools for personal transformation). As a teaching tool for understanding life's complexities and challenges, this book stands alone: I have seen nothing that approaches it.Thanks for your contribution to our lives, Dr. Vallaint!

I read the reviews on this an wound up buying it predicated on them. Mistake. If you are looking for any practical insight into, or self help techniques you are SOL out of luck. This is endless academic muscle flexing and pedantic verbalization that leads nowhere except to more grants to do more studies. Waste of money for anyone but another student or professor looking for a reference to put in his Phd paper.

Seldom does a book, written by a psychiatrist for scholarly and professional reasons, make so much sense and resonate so deeply. George Vaillant M.D., a brillant mind and a gifted researcher, culls his vast sea of knowledge about the inner workings of the psyche and has shows us therapists and lay people alike how to better understand ours'. Dr.Vaillant writes with wit , warmth and compassion. He makes complex psychoanalytic theories very accessible and relevant to our daily lives.This text is absolutley indispensible for the psychotherapy student, the curious lay reader or the seasoned cliniciain who seeks to deepen and expand his or her understanding of the soul .Having delighted in reading the book when it was first published, I find myself returning to it again and again for its wise and engaging commentary on being human.